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King Charleshas been in the public eye his whole life and today, the reigning monarch is celebrating his 77th birthday.
Born on Nov. 14, 1948, to Queen Elizabeth II and Prince Philip, Charles is the first of their four children and is succeeded by siblingsPrincess Anne,Andrew Mountbatten-WindsorandPrince Edward. He famously married Princess Diana back in 1981, and though their marriage proved to be acrimonious, he became a father to sonsPrince William,born in 1982 andPrince Harry, born in 1984.
In 2005, nine years after his divorce from Diana and eight years after her death, he married his long-term love, Camilla Parker Bowles in a small ceremony held at Windsor Castle.
Charles becamethe ruling monarch of the British royal familyin 2022, when he ascended the throne following the death of Queen Elizabeth.
See his life in photos as the royal celebrates his 77th birthday.
King Charles' Early Years
Charles Philip Arthur George was born on Nov. 14, 1948 at Buckingham Palace. At the time, his grandfather, King George VI was still reigning supreme.
Above, Queen Elizabeth watches her young son driving in a toy car on the grounds of Balmoral Castle in 1952.
King Charles Bonds with Princess Anne
Being Queen Elizabeth's oldest child comes with the duties of a future monarch ... and the great responsibility of being a big brother. Princess Anne, who was born in 1950, and King Charles share a laugh in this adorable 1952 photo.
King Charles and the Great Outdoors
Growing up, Charles had the Balmoral Estate as his playground. In this photo, then-Prince Charles and Princess Anne are pushed on a swing by their father, Prince Philip, with their mother looking and smiling.
King Charles' Teenage Years
Charles dressed to kil(t). The seemingly shy royal joined his mother for an appearance in 1967.
King Charles with His Family
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Charles and his siblings helped their parents celebrate their silver wedding anniversary back in 1972. The family is captured sharing a laugh in this candid moment from their photoshoot.
King Charles and His Love for Dogs
Thelove for dogsclearly runs in the family. The future king posed with an adorable pup outside the castle in 1978.
King Charles Takes the Driver's Seat
Charles took a spin behind the wheel of his 1975 Range Rover in 1979. This same vehicle — which he used while datingPrincess Diana— wasauctioned for £101,150(over $133,000) in 2018.
King Charles Marries Princess Diana
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Then-Prince Charles married Princess Diana in a lavish ceremony held at St. Paul's Cathedral in 1981.
King Charles Becomes a Father
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Despite a rocky marriage, the couple welcomed two sons, Prince William on July 21, 1982 and Prince Harry on Sept. 15, 1984. Here, they pose together in coordinating outfits at Kensington Palace.
King Charles and Sons at the River Dee
Charles passed on his love for the outdoors to his sons. In 1987, they were photographed playing on the bank of the River Dee near Balmoral Estate.
King Charles Divorces Diana
Princess Diana and Charles were married for a tumultuous 15 years before they divorced in August 1996.
King Charles and His Sons
Charles sported a monochromatic green ensemble while exploring the verdant outdoors. In this shot, the king visits Glenmuick on the Balmoral Castle estate with his sons.
King Charles Marries Queen Camilla
Almost a decade after his divorce and the death of Princess Diana, King Charles andQueen Camillatied the knotat St. George's Chapel in Windsor Castle on April 9, 2005.
King Charles and Queen Camilla's First Wedding Anniversary
Charles and Camilla spent their first anniversary at Birkhall on the Balmoral Estate in Scotland. They dressed for the occasion in matching tartan.
King Charles' Family Grows
Charles is now a grandfather of five! He's the proud granddad toPrince George,Princess Charlotte,Prince Louis, from Prince William and his wife Kate Middleton, as well asPrince ArchieandPrincess Lilibetfrom Prince Harry and Meghan Markle.
King Charles Is Coronated
King Charles became the sovereign ruler of the United Kingdom following Queen Elizabeth's death on Sept. 8, 2022. He was later coronated on May 6, 2023, at which time his wife became Queen Camilla.
King Charles Today
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In February 2024, the palace shared that, following a procedure to treat abenign enlarged prostatethat January, Charles had been diagnosed with cancer and was undergoing treatment (a spokesmanclarifiedhe does not have prostate cancer).
The King followed doctors' orders and opted out of public-facing work for three months, but continued to undertake state business and paperwork behind the scenes. He resumed his outside work in April 2024, though palace sources said his treatment for cancer would continue into this year.
Hereturned to work in March 2025and has kept his schedule since.
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